IOWA CITY -- Brady Hoke was asked the question everyone has viewed as almost fact for weeks now.

Has Devin Gardner, Michigan's starting quarterback, lost most of his confidence?

"Yeah," Hoke admitted after taking a pause to think following the Wolverines' 24-21 loss at Iowa on Saturday. "He probably has."

The end to Gardner's day on Saturday was, ultimately, the play most will remember from this game. But it wasn't the whole story.

On Michigan's final drive, a desperation attempt to get anything going offensively and possibly steal the game in general, Gardner appeared to be doing anything he could to get his team in position for a game-tying or game-winning score.

But, in the end, he tried too much.

After scrambling for eight yards to the Iowa 31 with less than three minutes to play, Gardner has the ball stripped by Iowa linebacker Anthony Hitchens.

Hitchens then pounced on the football, giving the Hawkeyes possession rather than giving the Wolverines a 3rd and 2 from the Iowa 31 down just three.

It was a game-saving play for Iowa, and a game-ending play for Michigan.

"I fumbled," Gardner said in a soft, monotone voice, body limped in his chair. "There's not much else."

For Gardner, it was the final nail in a frustrating day, that was about far more than just one fumble.

Michigan's quarterback was just 13 of 28 through the air for 98 yards on Saturday. He was hurt by dropped passes from both Devin Funchess and Jeremy Gallon. He was hurt by Iowa's pressure.

But mostly, he was hurt by himself.

Gardner once again looked hesitant in the pocket, often standing and holding the ball far too long before making a decision on what to do.

For instance, early in the fourth quarter after Iowa had fought back to take the lead, Gardner opened the Wolverines drive -- with the wind at his back -- with an inexcusable scramble for a four-yard loss.

From there, he hit Funchess in the back on a rushed throw before holding onto the football for too long on 3rd down, a play that nearly ended in an interception over the middle.

Michigan only allowed one sack Saturday, but the Hawkeyes completely stuffed Michigan's run (60 yards on 29 carries) and dropped the Wolverines i the backfield a total of 11 times.

Meaning, for the most part, this game was on Gardner's shoulders again.

Just like most of the season has been.

There's pressure for every quarterback in America. But for quarterbacks that don't have much of an offensive line, or any running game to speak of? Well, that pressure cranks up quite a bit more.

And 11 games in, it finally appeared to be taking a serious toll on Gardner -- who seemed to be fighting back tears in his postgame press conference.

"I fumbled the ball," Gardner said, his voice almost shaking now. "I lost the game by myself, I fumbled the ball when they trusted me to drive down and score."